Important Library & Community Resources |
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St. Michaels Branch Opens Monday, August 24
Easton Branch Opened August 17
Patrons will be welcomed back into the St. Michaels branch on Monday, August 24!
Hours for both branches for this phase of service include:
Monday and Thursday: 10 a.m. – 12 p.m. * 3 p.m. – 7 p.m.
Tuesday, Wednesday, and Friday: 9 a.m. - 12 p.m. * 2 p.m. – 5 p.m.
*Library is closed mid-day for cleaning.
At this time, the library is closed on Saturday.
The St. Michaels building occupancy is limited to 8 people. To ensure that as many patrons as possible may use the library, each visitor is limited to a maximum visit of one-hour (or less if it is nearing mid-day or end-of-day closing time).
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The safety of our patrons and staff is very important to us. Face coverings are required in the building for both staff and patrons over the age of two.
At any time, depending on the number of cases in Talbot County or other circumstances related to the pandemic, we may be forced to return to more limited offerings, such as the Books-to-Go service, or to close one or both branches once again for an extended period.
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To provide the best visiting experience for everyone, library patrons are asked to read this comprehensive FAQ prior to your visit. We hope that you will visit us soon and we look forward to seeing all of our patrons again! The St. Michaels staff has been working hard to prepare for reopening and looks forward to seeing you back in the building!
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To celebrate reopening, fines will not be charged through September on items owned by and checked out from the Talbot County Free Library. Library material owned by other Maryland Libraries may still incur fines. |
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Library Board Appoints New Trustees
Executive Director Dana Newman recently announced the appointment of Hudson Berry and Andrew Thaler to the library board of trustees for a four-year term beginning September, 2020.
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Hudson Berry is a mission-driven project manager with a marketing and production background in entertainment and international finance. In the past, Berry has worked on major feature films at Warner Bros. and managed projects at the International Monetary Fund, and TBC, Inc., a full-service marketing and advertising agency and production studio. Having received a BA in Literature & Health Sector Policy and Management from the University of Miami, she has a deep passion for literature, particularly urban fiction. Berry serves on the board of The Groove Theatre Co. in Cambridge. She is actively engaged in neighborhood volunteerism and dedicated to improving equity as well as civic engagement. She is a frequent user of the library in Easton and currently works at Piazza Italian Market.
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Andrew Thaler is the CEO of Blackbeard Biologic: Science and Environmental Advisors, an environmental consulting firm that focuses on providing policy, technology, and educational services across a variety of ocean related projects. Thaler’s work focuses on how humans use technology to interact with and experience the ocean. In addition, Thaler serves as adjunct faculty at both the University of Delaware and the Center for Environmental Science, University of Maryland Horn Point Lab. Thaler’s interests in education and technology have led him to develop and implement 3D printer workshops and training programs, design do-it-yourself educational tools, and develop ocean STEM/STEAM programs. In the recent past, he has volunteered his expertise to develop hands-on activities for families at a number of the library’s annual STEM Festivals and has been training library staff to use the 3D printers which he recently helped to set-up at the St. Michaels branch. Thaler is a frequent user of the library in St. Michaels and lives in St. Michaels with his family. |
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“We are very pleased to welcome Hudson and Andrew to the board,” said Newman. “Their diverse experience and backgrounds as well as their passion for education and commitment to our community will be great assets. The board and staff look forward to working with them in the coming years.” Board President Susan Sherman added “The Talbot County Free Library Board of Trustees welcomes these two outstanding community volunteers and looks forward to working with them as our library continues to offer valuable programs and resources to all of our residents during these difficult and unpredictable times.”
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Hamilton: How the Musical Remixes American History
August 26, 7 - 8:30 p.m.
Even in lockdown, America has Hamilton-mania! With Disney+ streaming the show this summer, everyone’s talking about Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Tony-winning musical. Its crafty lyrics, hip-hop tunes, and big, bold story have even rejuvenated interest in the real lives and true histories that Hamilton: the Musical puts center stage.
In this talk, which is aimed at people who know the soundtrack or who’ve seen the show, University of Maryland historian Dr. Richard Bell explores this musical phenomenon to reveal what its success tells us about the marriage of history and show business. We’ll learn what this amazing musical gets right and gets wrong about Alexander Hamilton, the American Revolution, and the birth of the United Sates and about why all that matters.
Dr. Richard Bell is a Professor of History at the University of Maryland. He holds a PhD from Harvard University and is author of the new online course America’s Long Struggle Against Slavery which you can find at TheGreatCourses.com/RichardBell, and the new book Stolen: Five Free Boys Kidnapped into Slavery and their Astonishing Odyssey Home which is shortlisted for the George Washington Prize.
Registration is required and can be made here.There are 245 seats available, and registration ends 24 hours before the event begins.
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Upcoming Fall Programs for Children and Teens
Kids Writers LIVE! with Susan Muaddi Darraj
Saturday, September 12, 2 p.m.
An Enoch Pratt Free Library Event
Meet the author of Farah Rocks, the exciting new book series from Capstone, featuring a Palestinian American character -- the brave, funny, and smart Farah Hajjar. Farah has a large rock collection, so gather some rocks from your yard and some paint, and join author Susan Muaddi Darraj in a rock painting activity while she reads from her book. Register here!
Preschool Story Time
Tuesdays, Sept. 15, 22, and 29, October 13, 20, & 27
Thursdays, Sept. 17 and 24, October 8, 15, 22, & 29
TCFL Facebook LIVE, 10:00 a.m.
Stories, Songs and Rhymes for families with children ages birth to 5
Teen Journaling
Thursdays, September 17, October 1 and 15
1:00 -1:30 p.m., via Zoom
Want to try journaling, but not sure how to start? Join Ms. Laura for talking and writing fun! Inspired by the book, Journal Sparks by Emily Neuburger. Register here!
Young Adult Writer's Live with Tehlor Kay Mejia (Hispanic Heritage Month)
Friday, October 2, 5:00 pm
An Enoch Pratt Free Library Event
This Hispanic Heritage edition of Young Adult Writers Live! features Tehlor Kay Mejia, author of We Set the Dark on Fire, her debut novel. It received six starred reviews and was chosen as an Indie’s Next Pick and a Junior Library Guild selection, as well as being an IndieBound bestseller in the Pacific Northwest region. It was featured in Seventeen, Cosmopolitan, and O by Oprah Magazine’s best books of 2019 lists, as well as being a book of the year selection by Kirkus and School Library Journal. Register here!
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COVID-19 & Racial Justice:
Responding to Dual Pandemics
Monday, August 31st, 4 – 5 p.m.
In partnership with Howard County Library
Our country is in the midst of two simultaneous pandemics. COVID-19 continues to alter our daily lives. At the same time, and for the past 400+ years, Black Americans have been facing the ongoing pandemic of Racial Injustice. We are at a moment of intersection between these two crises. Former Secretary of Education under President Obama John B. King Jr. and Sabina Taj, Education professional, discuss the dual crises and ask: How do we move forward, together?
John B. King Jr. is the president and CEO of The Education Trust, a national nonprofit organization that seeks to identify and close opportunity and achievement gaps, from preschool through college. King served in President Barack Obama’s cabinet as the 10th U.S. Secretary of Education. In tapping him to lead the U.S. Department of Education, President Obama called King “an exceptionally talented educator,” citing his commitment to “preparing every child for success” and his lifelong dedication to education as a teacher, principal, and leader of schools and school systems. Click here to read more.
Sabina Taj is a long-time Howard County resident and senior philanthropic leader supporting innovative K-12 educational initiatives. In 2018 she was elected to the Howard County Board of Education, running on a platform of representation and equity. Previously, she was Adjunct Professor at Howard Community College where she taught arts integration to future school teachers. Ms. Taj has long been active in the community, which she first got to know in her role as Columbia Foundation program officer. She is a Leadership Howard County graduate, previously served on the board of the Little Patuxent Review, and was an advisory board member to the Columbia Housing Center. She also serves on the Howard County Arts Council.
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Talbot County Sheriff Joe Gamble and Tidewater Rotary invite everyone to attend a virtual kick-off for Talbot Goes Purple (TGP) at 7:30 p.m. on September 1.
This year’s kick-off is virtual due to the COVID-19 pandemic, but will live stream on multiple platforms, including Facebook. The kick-off will include brief remarks with Sheriff Gamble and Lucie Hughes of Tidewater Rotary before officially going purple with Easton Utilities.
“We’re excited about year four of Talbot Goes Purple, even though obviously we have some challenges with getting our messages out into the community,” said Gamble. “COVID has really caused some major setbacks among people with substance use disorder, and we’re committed to finding new ways to reach youth and families here in Talbot County.”
New, virtual activities for this year include free film screenings of both “The American Opioid Crisis: Talbot Goes Purple,” a documentary from Ferrari Films that screened last year, and the latest film from Chris Herren, “The First Day.” TGP also has formed a student ambassador program that includes virtual projects with this year’s educational messages.
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As part of its efforts in support of Talbot Goes Purple, the Talbot County Free Library will offer purple library cards in September to all new applicants while supplies last. As always, there is no charge for getting your first library card. It is absolutely free. |
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Easton Utilities’ support again includes the installation of 14,000 purple lights and 75 purple spotlights that will shine purple throughout downtown Easton for the month of September.
This is year four for the initiative, and the community can again display purple lights and gear starting Sept. 1 and throughout the month as a show of taking a stand against substance abuse. Purple lights and other fun stuff are available online at www.talbotgoespurple.org. Lights also are again available at E.D. Supply in Easton.
For information on the student ambassador program, email talbotgoespurple@gmail.com. The program is open to all youth ages 18 and under in Talbot County with parent/guardian permission. Details about this year’s events will become available on the TGP Facebook page @TalbotGoesPurple.
Talbot Goes Purple is an awareness and educational prevention program that empowers our youth and our community to ‘Go Purple’ as a sign of taking a stand against substance abuse. The initiative includes purple clubs in our middle and high schools through which students learn they do not need drugs or alcohol to meet life’s challenges. The purpose of the project is to promote the ‘new conversation’ – one that includes prescription drugs, alcohol, marijuana and e-cigarettes.
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